The Washington Nationals saw two players recognized by ESPN, though the team received a dose of pessimism in another roster overview
The Washington Nationals are still in the early stages of spring training and fresh off their first loss in a 7-0 loss against the New York Yankees in the final game of Wednesday's slate.
The pitching staff has featured a handful of expected key contributors with Cade Cavalli now two days removed from his first start, Brad Lord already made his spring training debut, while both Clayton Beater and Cole Henry have appeared in the name. The same may not apply to the lineup as James Wood has yet to make an appearance this spring with others like CJ Abrams playing limited innings despite appearing in three of the team's first six games.
But that's to be expected for a team with a longer list of fringe candidates with something to prove compared to the team's proven stars, giving first year manager, president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and general manager Ani Kilambi a chance to assess the rest of the roster. But once Opening Day approaches, all eyes will turn to the Nationals' young starters through the 2026 season with two players drawing recognition among the best at their position across baseball.
To no surprise, James Wood was named an honorable mention among the best outfielders in baseball by ESPN after noting his stellar average exit velocity was 94.3 miles per hour, ranked third in baseball behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Wood is coming off his first career Home Run Derby and All Star appearance, one of two Nationals to be recognized at the time, after exploding to start the season. The towering left fielder slashed .288/.391/.549 with a .940 OPS and 23 home runs through the first half of the season, including one the same day he was named to the Home Run Derby. His All Star selection also came one year after his first career home run with the Nationals.
Wood joined CJ Abrams as Nationals recognized by ESPN after Abrams was also an honorable mention among the best shortstops in baseball, one of three players in the NL East to be recognized.
"Some context for Washington's willingness to discuss him in possible deals over the winter -- metrics indicate he was a below-average defender and is average in getting on base (.315 last season), with some power and excellent skills in running the bases," Buster Olney of ESPN wrote. "The timing of his ascension might not match that of the Washington rebuild."
Of course, Abrams' offseason has been highlighted by trade rumors that Toboni later shot down with growing debate about whether the team will eventually look to find a suitable trade partner, but he enters the first half of the season as a key piece at a position with good future depth in Eli Willits and Gavin Fien, who is likely to move when he arrives in the minors.
But it wasn't all positive for Washington as the Nationals ranked 28th across the league in lineup strength with ESPN pointing to Wood "and some collective speed" across the roster before noting the "cupboard isn't completely bare."
ESPN did dish out an 'A' to Washington for base running, but that was about it with patience, durability, hitters both left and right handed pitchers all drawing an 'F' while power drew a 'D-' compared to a 'C' for hitting.